cắt ngọn
Definition
- Verb:
- To top / to prune the top: The primary meaning of "cắt ngọn" is to cut off the upper part or the growing tip of a plant. This horticultural practice is done to control growth, encourage bushiness, or improve yield.
- To skim off the top / to take a cut first (in gambling): In a specific, colloquial context (especially in games or gambling), "cắt ngọn" can mean to take a portion of the winnings or profits off the top before any distribution or further play.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Người làm vườn khuyên nên cắt ngọn cây ớt để nó ra nhiều quả hơn. (The gardener advised topping the chili plant to make it bear more fruit.)
- Trong trò chơi, nhà cái thường cắt ngọn trước khi chia tiền thắng. (In the game, the house often takes a cut off the top before distributing the winnings.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is highly specific. Its literal botanical meaning is the most common and universally understood. The gambling-related usage is niche and contextual.
Variants and Related Words
- Tỉa cành (v): to prune branches. This is a related gardening action that involves cutting back branches rather than just the top.
- Mùa xuân là thời điểm thích hợp để tỉa cành cây ăn quả. (Spring is the right time to prune fruit tree branches.)
Synonyms
- To prune: to trim a plant by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems.
- To top: to remove the top part of a plant.
- To skim: to take the best part of something, or to take money off the top (for the gambling context).
Related Idioms
- There are no common idioms directly using "cắt ngọn." The phrase itself functions as a specific term.